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Tuesday, 10 February 2015

The Sludgelord News: LIGHTNING BOLT: New Tune From Noise Duo's First Recording In Six Years Now Playing At Rolling Stone

Over
the course of its two-decade existence, noise duo LIGHTNING BOLT has
revolutionized underground rock in immeasurable ways. The pair broke the
barrier between stage and audience by setting themselves up on the floor in the
midst of the crowd. Their momentous live performances and the mania they
inspired paved the way for similar tactics used by Dan Deacon and
literally hundreds of others. Similarly, the band's recordings have always been
chaotic, roaring, blown out documents that sound like they could destroy even
the toughest set of speakers.

Set
for release next month, Fantasy Empire, LIGHTNING BOLT's sixth
album -- and first in five years -- is a fresh take from a band intent on
pushing themselves musically and sonically while maintaining the aesthetic that
has defined not only them, but an entire generation of noisemakers. It marks
many firsts, most notably their first recordings made using hi-fi recording
equipment at the famed Machines With Magnets, and their first album
for Thrill Jockey. More than any previous album, Fantasy Empire sounds
like drummer Brian Chippendale and bassist Brian Gibson are
playing just a few feet away, using the clarity afforded by the studio to
amplify the intensity they project. Every frantic drum hit, every fuzzed-out
riff, sounds more present and tangible than ever before.

Fantasy Empire is ferocious, consuming, and is a more accurate
translation of their live experience. It also shows LIGHTNING BOLT embracing
new ways to make their music even stranger. More than any previous record,
Chippendale and Gibson make use of live loops and complete separation of the
instruments during recording to maximize the sonic pandemonium and power.
Gibson worked with Machines very carefully to get a clear yet still distorted
and intense bass sound, allowing listeners to truly absorb the detail and
dynamic range he displays, from the heaviest thud to the subtle melodic embellishments.
Some of these songs have been in the band's live repertoire since as early as
2010, and have been refined in front of audiences for maximum impact. This is
heavy, turbulent music, but it is executed with the precision of musicians that
have spent years learning how to create impactful noise through the use of
dynamics, melody, and rhythm.

In
celebration of its forthcoming release, today Rolling Stone offers up opening
crusher, "The Metal East," alongside an in-depth interview with the
band, for public consumption. Check it out at THIS LOCATION.

Fantasy
Empire Track Listing:

1.
The Metal East
2. Over the River and Through the Woods
3. Horsepower
4. King of My World
5. Mythmaster
6. Runaway Train
7. Leave the Lantern Lit
8. Dream Genie
9. Snow White (& The 7 Dwarves Fans)

Fantasy
Empire will be released March 24th, 2015 via
Thrill Jockey. In addition to standard formats, Thrill Jockey is offering a
limited pressing of 300 deluxe double LP versions on black-and-white swirl
vinyl. Preorder packages are available at THIS LOCATION.

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